Motoring News

Today, 19 June 2015

Autocar goes racing in a Radical
Racing rookie Mark Tisshaw is tackling the Radical SR1 Cup this year. The build-up to his first race has proved to be a steep learning curve
Sir Chris Hoy has won six Olympic gold medals. Wing Commander Andy Green OBE is the world land speed record holder.I can lay claim to nothing as grand as that, but I do share something in common with them. We have all driven the guest car in the Radical SR1 Cup, a one-make race series for Radicalís entry-level SR1 model.The championship, launched in 2013, is designed as an entry point into Radical racing and a stepping stone for those looking to take their track-day experience into proper racing. A season costs £37,500 plus VAT, which gets you everything†from a race licence test and a fireproof suit to expert tuition and eight races on Britainís best tracks.Hoy had the guest car slot in 2013 to launch his racing career. Last year, it was Greenís turn as he began his preparations for driving Bloodhound at 1000mph. This year, itís me.So far, Iíve been getting acquainted with the car in Radicalís official test and tuition sessions. Iíve driven a fair amount of performance machinery on circuits but never a racing car, which, unsurprisingly, turns out to be a different proposition.The SR1 is a noviceís car in name only. It weighs just 480kg before my 75kg climbs aboard. The 185bhp output comes from a 1.3-litre Suzuki motorbike engine. It also has fully working aerodynamics, producing noticeable levels of downforce.It is uncompromised by the need to be used on the road. Every part of its make-up is designed to get you around a circuit as quickly as possible. Precisely how quickl